Conquering Our Thought Patterns
Conquering Our Thought Patterns
by Patricia McFerren, Wellspring Health and Style Guest Columnist
During this economically turbulent time in history we tend to withdraw further into our own piece of the world called our “comfort zone.” Whether it’s the local coffee shop, bar, restaurant, health club, community center or even at work, we gather to feel safe and accepted. But are we? Of course not. It is those “comfort zones” that cause our anxieties in the first place.
Whether one realizes it or not, we create and shape our lives with our thoughts. All things that become part of our physical reality are first created in the mind from the raw material called “thought.”
The term, “subconscious mind,” is one that’s frequently heard, but seldom understood. Instead of subconsciousness, those enlightened in the practice of yoga, use a word that could be translated as superconciousness – consciousness of a higher order. The job of the superconsciousness mind is to take thought, which is pure energy and give it physical shape in the material world (our world).
Many books have been written on the subject, but the most important thing to remember is that our superconscious mind is a willing and eager servant whom we command by way of thought patterns. When we think a thought, we issue a command. Our servant obeys by manifesting the thoughts in the physical world where it becomes the events in our lives. Thus, physical reality is a mirror of our thought patterns. Change our thought patterns and we change the reflection in the mirror. In other words, we change our lives.
This concept, as simple as it sounds, is most frequently the biggest stumbling block for many people. They point to some unhappy or even tragic event in their lives and refuse to believe that they could have created it with their own thoughts. But if you examine your thoughts closely, you will find negative patterns competing with positive ones.
These negative patterns can also be seen as “fear.” Fear is not something we are born with. We do possess some inborn instincts, but most of our fears are learned. As babies, as children, we sense our parents’ fears. In some schools we are taught to fear others who may not be of the same culture or religion, we are taught to fear animals and the outside world.
As we mature we are judged by what we do with our lives, how we dress, where we go to school, who we marry and most of us never find our bliss, our happiness. What wondrous things we miss out on when we hold on to those fears. In one breath you’ll say, “I want to achieve happiness.” In the next you’ll give yourself a thousand reasons to be unhappy. These excuses are really the negative thoughts winning out over the positive ones and keeping you in that comfort zone. So while your stated goal is happiness, your thoughts are working overtime to create just the opposite.
When a problem or obstacle presents itself we shut down and retreat into that comfort zone. Sometimes the obstacles we face are in reality benefits in disguise. If we didn’t have struggles or obstacles in our lives, we wouldn’t have any reason to strive to become better people or live a more productive life.
“Watch your thoughts; they become your words”
“Watch your words; they become your actions”
“Watch your actions; they become your habits”
“Watch your habits; they become your character”
“Watch your character for it will become your destiny”.
Our thoughts not only change the way we view everything and everyone around us, but ourselves as well. Negative thoughts breed fear instead of happiness and success. We can change our lives by something as simple as being aware of and changing our thought patterns. Take that first step and replace the words, “I can’t” with “I can”! Just this simple shift in thinking will open your own life to endless possibilities.
Remember sometimes obstacles arise to make us aware of things we may not be attuned to; the key is to move forward. There is nothing we can do to change the past; only learn from it, put it behind us and go forward and see fortune amidst those struggles and obstacles.
Fitness expert and author, guest columnist Patricia McFerren has contributed to Continuum Magazine and has published numerous feature articles on mind/body, fitness, stress management and horses.
McFerren’s screenplay “The Mojo Murders” was a featured screenplay sponsored by Arlene Dahl for the NY Chapter of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Her work, “The Seer” was a finalist in the T.V. Accolades Screenwriting Competition. She is a member of the NY Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Women’s Writing Guild.
